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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires: Exclusive prologue not included in the book

Oakland Manor – 1820

“The carriages are ready,” Lady Oakland said as she entered her
husband’s study. Dressed in preparation for their journey to Thorncliff
Manor, she’d chosen a comfortable peach-colored gown and was presently
pulling on her favorite pair of kid-skin gloves.
“And the children?” Philip, Earl of Oakland asked as he rose from his
chair, closed the ledger he’d been updating and came toward her. “Are
they ready as well?”
“Fiona keeps returning upstairs in order to fetch one thing or
another that she claims to have forgotten,” Lady Oakland said in
reference to her youngest daughter who, at the age of eighteen, was
still as boisterous as ever, “so I think we should simply decide that
it’s time to depart. Besides, the workers we hired are ready to begin on
the renovations.”
“Alterations, you mean, considering our home is in perfect condition,
save for the small detail that it’s not in the Greek style as you would
prefer.”
Stepping forward with a smile, Lady Oakland allowed her husband to
pull her into his arms. “You’re very good to me, Philip, there’s no
denying that.”
He chuckled lightly as he kissed the top of her head. “The things men do for love…”
Leaning back a little, Lady Oakland gazed up at her husband in
adoration. The corners of his eyes creased a great deal more than when
they’d married thirty one years prior, and his hair now contained the
occasional strand of gray, but he was still as handsome as ever. “I
dare say I only managed to convince you to accept the expense for
Spencer’s benefit.”
Contemplating his eldest son and heir, Philip sighed. “If this plan
of yours to get him back out into Society so he can find a suitable
bride doesn’t work, it will be a terribly expensive failure.”
“At least our home will be de rigeur,” she said, determined to remain positive.
With a snort, Philip released her and gathered up a book from his
desk. “You make the most damning arguments, Marie, but I must confess
that even I was stunned to discover that Richard has agreed to join us.”
“I don’t suppose he likes the thought of Oakland Manor being overrun
by workers or of possibly having to face them.” Regrettably, she failed
to avoid sounding bitter.
“You mustn’t take this personally, Marie,” Philip said with a note of
sympathy. “He doesn’t want anyone to see him. I’ve only caught the
occasional glimpse of him since he returned from the war. The scars on
his face are severe.”
“But I’m his mother, Philip, and it’s been five years!” Turning away
from her husband, she tried to hide the welling of tears. She would not
cry. Not now when they were about to begin their summer holiday
together.
“I know, but you have to respect his wishes for privacy. We all do.”
Forcing a smile, she nodded as she turned to Philip once more. “Of
course we do.” She allowed her smile to grow wider. “Shall we see if we
can be on our way within the next half hour?”
“Do you really suppose it will take that long?”
Marie offered her husband a look that spoke volumes. “There are nine
of us with two carriages and seating arrangements that are yet to be
decided.”
“We’re only eight since Richard will be riding alone after nightfall.”
“Right,” Marie said with a sigh.
A knock sounded and Fiona popped her head through the doorway. “Mama,
have you seen my cream-colored shawl? The one with the sunflowers
embroidered along the edges?”
Marie turned toward her youngest daughter. “I thought you might like
to bring it along so I handed it to Pierce on my way in here and asked
him to give it to you on your way out.”
Fiona’s face brightened. “In that case I do believe I’m ready to depart.”
“What about everyone else?” Philip inquired.
“They’re waiting outside,” Fiona said with a smile. “It’s lovely weather so I daresay we’ll have a very pleasant ride.”
“Then let’s be off,” Philip said as he ushered his wife and daughter
out of his study and toward the front of the house where the butler gave
Fiona her favorite shawl. Continuing out onto the front step however,
Philip was met with a loud discussion taking place between his four
other daughters and Spencer.
“You must agree that there isn’t enough space for your box of paints inside the carriage,” Rachel was telling Emily. “It must go on top.”
“What if I sit next to you, Chloe?” Emily asked her eldest sister, “You’re very petite. I’m sure we can—”
“I hope you’re not suggesting that the rest of us are overweight,”
Laura said, cutting off her sister’s comment as she crossed her arms
with distinct disapproval.
Emily sighed. “Of course not, but you must admit that Chloe is particularly slim.”
A moment of silence followed as everyone turned to regard the eldest
Heartly daughter. “Are you sure you’re eating properly?” Rachel
eventually asked.
Chloe rolled her eyes. “Yes,” she said, not bothering to elaborate.
“Regardless, I’d still like to have my paints within reach,” Emily said.
“In that case, I should like to have my lap-desk with me,” Laura
announced. “I could write another chapter of my novel by the time we
reach Thorncliff, which to my way of thinking would be most efficient.”
“Would you all please stop being so difficult,” Spencer said, his
tone at the brink of complete exasperation. “Emily isn’t going to start
painting inside the carriage any more than you’re going to do any
writing, Laura. There’s no room for a paint box or for a lap-desk
without ensuring the discomfort of whoever you happen to sit next to.
Both items will go on top of the carriage.” Spotting his parents, he
turned toward them and said, “Wouldn’t you agree?”
Marie blinked, then nodded slowly as she regarded her six children
individually. “The space inside the carriages is cramped enough as it
is. You may take a book, if you like, or some embroidery, but anything
more cumbersome is out of the question. Now then, who will be riding
with your father and I?”
“I’d be happy to,” Chloe said, stepping forward.
“What about you, Spencer?” Marie asked.
Spencer shook his head. “Sorry, Mama, but I was planning to ride with Fiona and Laura.”
“You were?” Fiona asked sounding thoroughly surprised.
“Somebody needs to keep an eye on you and I am happy to volunteer,”
Spencer said as he put his arm around Fiona and squeezed her against
him.
“Are you aware that you sound horribly overbearing right now?” she asked, though she couldn’t stop from smiling.
“A compliment, considering I’m supposed to be exceedingly so if I’m
to do my duty as your brother.” Grinning, Spencer chucked Fiona under
her chin, just as he’d been doing since she was three years old.
“Then perhaps you’d like to join us, Emily?” Marie asked
while Philip strode toward the first carriage and began issuing
instructions to the driver.
“Certainly, Mama,” Emily said.
“In that case I’ll join Spencer, Fiona and Laura,” Rachel said decisively, even though no other option remained.
“We’ll have an excellent time of it,” Fiona declared as she pulled
away from Spencer and started toward the second carriage. Her siblings
followed suit while Chloe and Emily began climbing into the other
carriage.
Approaching Marie, Philip offered her his hand, intent on helping her
climb in after Chloe and Emily. “It looks as though we’re finally
ready,” he said with a tilt of his lips.
Marie frowned as she nodded toward the second carriage. “Am I
mistaken or is Spencer deliberately trying to avoid spending time with
us?”
Philip chuckled. “You can’t be surprised.” When she offered him a
look of incomprehension, he said, “Your desperation to see him wed is
beginning to show. I don’t believe he’s interested in spending the next
six hours being apprised of all the marriageable young ladies who are
going to be present at Thorncliff during our visit.”
Marie huffed a little. “I’m not that bad.”
Lowering his head, Philip kissed Marie’s forehead. “Said the woman
who has spent the last two months devising a plan that will force her
son back into Society.”
“Are you saying you don’t agree with my method?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Philip grinned. “I’m just trying to explain why
Spencer might not be so eager to share your company at the moment.”
With that final statement, he ushered his wife into the carriage
where she promptly took her seat and began smoothing her skirts.
Climbing in after her, Philip shut the door, rapped his fist on the roof
and breathed a sigh of relief when the carriage started rolling down
the driveway. For better or worse, they were finally on their way.